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Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are popular among drivers who want more comfort and space than one can get from a coupe or sedan while still being versatile enough to serve different lifestyles based on the driver's preference. However, several body sizes have emerged within the SUV segment over the years. When you think of an SUV, you might immediately picture a sturdy, boat-like vehicle like a Cadillac Escalade or a GMC Yukon, but there's a lot more to SUVs than massive body frames and three rows of seating. As the market develops, manufacturers find new ways to cram tremendous value in SUVs of all shapes and sizes, only if you know what you're looking for and where to find them. Are you shopping for used cars in Victoria and trying to decide which SUV is best for your needs? As your trusted dealer in Victoria, we'd like to offer a quick rundown of the most commonly recognized types of SUVs and the unique advantages they lend to a savvy driver. Let's get started! Subcompact A subcompact SUV is the smallest type of SUV. If you've ever seen a small, boxy vehicle on the road with the dimensions of an SUV but the overall size of a coupe or sedan, that was likely a subcompact SUV. Subcompacts offer some of the best parts of an SUV--generous space, fuel efficiency, and versatility--while retaining the same sleek, maneuverable platform as a car, getting you the best of both worlds. Being some of the smallest SUVs, subcompacts typically seat up to five people. However, what you lose in interior space you make up for in fuel economy. Subcompact SUVs can be some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market, with average EPA-estimated ratings rivaling sedans or coupes despite their greater overall cargo space. Who Should Drive It? A subcompact SUV is terrific for anyone entering the SUV space for the first time. If you've only driven cars your entire life, jumping right into a large, three-row SUV can be a bit of an adjustment, as you might find it challenging to maneuver the vehicle around dense urban environments or hazardous weather. The beauty of the subcompact is that there's little to no learning curve in handling it for previous car drivers: models like the Kia Seltos or Kia Soul are designed to offer that signature SUV reliability without compromising the smooth handling of a good car. Compact A compact SUV is a step up from the subcompact in size, designed with five seats but offering more rear passenger room and larger cargo space than the average subcompact. Still, compact SUVs remain small enough in dimensions that they typically boast excellent fuel economy, losing just a few MPGs compared to a subcompact SUV on average. Particularly notable for those who live in areas with disastrous winters, all-wheel drive (AWD) is more common in compacts than subcompacts. Another advantage the average commuter likely doesn't consider is that compact SUVs don't slouch in the towing department, as you can expect towing capacities ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 lbs for a compact SUV. For example, the Chevy Equinox has a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. In comparison, the Kia Sportage has a capacity between 2,000 to 2,500 lbs, depending on the powertrain. Who Should Drive It? A compact SUV is ideal for anyone who needs seating for up to five passengers but wants to make sure those passengers are comfortable on long drives. If you want a slightly elevated drive height than what you'd get in a subcompact, consider a compact SUV. Compact SUVs are also the smart choice for drivers who need a practical, fuel-efficient vehicle for commuting and parking in the city but can do some towing in a pinch for those weekend excursions. Midsize A midsize SUV is the largest of the five-seater SUVs, featuring greater rear-seat passenger room and cargo space than a compact SUV. When it comes to the midsize, this is where we start to consider powertrains and engines, even in an SUV. While in the subcompact and compact range, you see many I-3 and I-4 engines, in the midsize category, you'll start to see V6 engines show up as additional options for those looking for a little kick to their SUV. Towing abilities are also more of a mainstay in this category, with midsize SUVs typically boasting towing abilities from 3,000 lbs to 5,000 lbs. Who Should Drive It? If you know you'll be using all five SUV seats regularly and for many long trips, you might consider a midsize SUV for the long haul. Rear-seat passengers typically want as spacious seating as possible for multi-hour drives. If you're going on lengthy trips, that means that everyone has a lot of belongings to bring, and midsize SUVs boast the best interior cargo space in the five-seat category before you start moving up to the three-rows. You'll need the larger trunk space if you see yourself going on long road trips with a big family. Three-Row As its name promises, a three-row SUV has three rows of seating, with varying available seats. On average, you can find seating for six to eight passengers in a three-row SUV, split between bench seats, captain's chairs, foldable seats, and other factors depending on the model. The Kia Sorento and Telluride, for example, offer seating for up to seven/eight passengers, either with split-folding second-row bench seats or second-row captain's chairs (a more luxurious type of passenger seat) for added comfort, depending on the trim level. As you can imagine, three-row SUVs are hefty and powerful, boasting far stronger engines than the midsize segment, and can tow anywhere in the 5,000 to 5,500 lbs range, depending on your choice of powertrain. As mentioned with captain's chairs, three-row SUVs are among the more luxurious models out of the types we've discussed so far, with models like the Cadillac Escalade designed to enhance the experience for everyone in the cabin. Who Should Drive It? If your passenger needs vary daily but need at least six seats, check out a three-row SUV. It's a good choice for those who sometimes need to load up seven or eight passengers but don't necessarily do so every day or for particularly long drives, acting as a nice "intermediate" between the midsize SUV and the illustrious full-size. Full-Size Full-size SUVs encompass the largest SUVs available on the market. If you're looking for anything larger than these, you're looking for a full-size van. Full-size SUVs usually have seating for seven or eight passengers and some extended models, like the GMC Yukon XL, even have seating for nine. Naturally, the third row will be more spacious than a three-row SUV, matching the spaciousness of the second row on a midsize. In fact, full-size SUVs are known for offering generous seating space for all three rows. Trunks will also be larger than those of three-row SUVs, boasting the largest interior cargo space in the market. Full-size SUVs tend to sit on truck-like platforms, so if you get one, be ready to handle a lot of steel. Regarding power, full-size SUVs sit in the realm of V8 engines, and average towing capacities range from 8,000 to 9,000 lbs. Who Should Drive It? If nothing we've discussed in this article is large enough for you, then committing to a full-size SUV is the way to go. If you have a large family, regularly transport co-workers for your business, or have to drive at least seven people around daily, a good full-size SUV will accommodate those needs at a reasonable price. Even if you only need seating for seven but take long trips with lots of cargo to transport, you're probably still best off with this SUV size. Naturally, if you don't want to commit to a pickup truck, a full-size SUV is also a good choice for those looking to tow boats or decent-sized campers with them on their trip. Find Your Used SUV at Victory Kia If you've decided which SUV size fits your needs, all that's left to do is to find the best model and trim in that size, and we'd love to help! We have a huge inventory of pre-owned models from Kia and all the names you trust, like Ford, Chevy, GMC, and Jeep. Whether you want a subcompact, compact, midsize, three-row, or full-size SUV, we have every size on our lot here in Victoria, so come visit us today at Victory Kia!

As you search for used cars in Victoria, you may have come to realize that there are so many options available. You have many options available, different sizes to choose from, brands to consider, and more. If you've narrowed your search down to just body style and have determined a truck is right for you, you still have a lot to consider. We're here to help you get started. For instance, if you're towing for work, you probably want a truck with towing numbers as its top priority so you can tow a lot and do so safely. Let's say you're going from Victoria to Corpus Christi with a trailer hitched: the last thing you want is to worry that a bump in the road will cause trouble. On the flip side, if you're going to use your truck mainly as a hauler and can't afford to lug a trailer behind, then bed space and dimensions will be your top concern. And if you're going to have a lot of passengers on a lengthy trip in a full-size truck? You're probably considering luxury features to keep them entertained and comfortable during the ride. Today, we want to walk you through some of the used truck options available on our lot so that you know what to expect from each and can decide which truck better serves your purpose. Let's get started! What Ford Offers: The F-150 The Ford F-150 comes out of the long-running F-Series, one of the oldest pickup trucks in living memory. If automotive history is important to you, a used F-150 will be right up your alley. Don't worry: it has benefits beyond being an interesting history lesson. The F-150 has been famed for offering a slew of engine options, perfect for drivers who like a particular feel to their ride. If acceleration is important, the F-150 will serve well, too, as its top engines have sky-high torque and horsepower--one of the most potent gas engines you can get on an F-150 from 2020 onwards is the 3.5L High-Output V6 engine, which clocks in at a whopping 450 hp on 510 lb-ft of torque! The better the horsepower and torque, the better the acceleration and the higher the top speeds. Pair that with a ten-speed automatic transmission, and you have yourself at a fast, strong, and smooth beast. The F-150 can offer you best-in-class towing depending upon the model year you purchase, ranging from 7,700 to over 13,000 lbs based on your choice of engine and equipment. In terms of cost, you always want to monitor a vehicle's fuel efficiency. The F-150 is decent, but it's been beaten out by the Silverado 1500 in recent years with its efficiency. If fuel efficiency is essential, you may want to go with another Ford option: the Ford Maverick. Its fuel efficiency tends to be at the very top of all of Ford's trucks, regardless of class, at the cost of performance. Another benefit of the F-150 is space. You can choose from different cab sizes; the largest cab will serve great if you're shuttling family and friends around Victoria. You'll especially love it if you want to show the kids all of Texas, as traveling around our great state is fun, but there's no question that it's massive and requires some long treks. The size of the F-150 makes these voyages comfortable instead of constraining. Chevy Silverado 1500: A Recent Favorite A recent favorite? How could that be? Surely, the Silverado 1500 has been around forever. Well, depends on your point of view. The Silverado grew out of the C/K truck line around 2000, quickly gaining popularity for its accessibility and versatility. While it is true that the Silverado has nothing on the F-150's age, since the Silverado 1500 debuted, plenty of other manufacturers started pumping out similar trucks to compete. If the F-150 made trucking accessible to working Americans, then the Silverado 1500 has made the idea of owning a pickup truck enticing to all Americans. Easy to tell why: it's versatile, with plenty of trims, so you can get a design perfect for what you want. Plan on doing any off-roading in the near future? You better believe there's a trim of the Silverado 1500 that can handle the roughest road Texas has to offer. Want to bring a boat to the coast? The Silverado 1500's towing doesn't always match the F-150's, but it comes close and can more than handle the day's mission. In terms of luxury, the highest trim level of the Silverado 1500, the High Country, has a tough time competing with the F-150 Premium or the F-150 King Ranch, so if you're looking for the most luxurious truck on the market, the Silverado 1500 might be a tough sell. But if capability and versatility are what you're after, you've got a whole collection of Silverado 1500 models to choose from, be it a Trail Boss, ZR2, LT, RST, High Country, or LTZ, the possibilities are endless! Its base model also tends to be more affordable, although the more features you want, the more the price goes up significantly, even when used. Toyota's Competitive Truck: The Tundra The Toyota Tundra debuted around the same time as the Silverado, but it did not catch on as much as the Chevy Classic did. That's likely because its history is a bit more up and down. Some model years did not impress, lagging on features and comfort. For instance, in 2018, the Tundra still lacked infotainment options that all other trucks had standard. That can be a drag when a model is new, but it will likely be more affordable when it's used. If you're just interested in towing capability, lacking expensive features like that could still make the Tundra a target purchase. However, Tundra models of the last few years have swung in the opposite direction. From giant touchscreens to tons of infotainment features, the Tundra now has much to offer even as its towing and payload limits can't hit the heights of other trucks. The suspension is better than ever, with the last five model years boasting a 10-speed automatic transmission, giving you a smooth ride no matter the road you're on. So, if you're seeing some dirt Texas roads in your future or even heading out into the desert, the Tundra will keep you from feeling the rigors of off-roading even when you are. The Tundra's life has had its pros and cons veer wildly over the years, more than in other models. So, if you're opting for a Tundra, inform yourself of the specific year's stats before you make the investment. The Ram 1500: A Quiet Powerhouse When asked to picture a pickup truck, the average person tends to think of the Silverado 1500 or the F-150, but real truck fans know that the Ram 1500 is one of the best pickups you can purchase. It might be a bit more expensive, but that's why buying used is so smart: a model a few years old will be far cheaper than a new one, and you'll still have access to incredible power. The design of the Ram 1500 is of special note, too. Its front grille is intimidating and makes sure everyone knows it when driving around Victoria. That goes well with its towing and payload limits, which match or come close to matching trucks like the F-150 and Silverado 1500. Its large, muscular build makes this a perfect purchase for anyone who wants to make trucking their lifestyle. This also means its ride is smooth and capable thanks to its commanding stature, which sometimes puts it ahead of competitors when it comes to labor. Reliability is as important as performance stats, and the Ram 1500 is designed to be your favorite co-worker. Every Used Truck is Ready to Rumble at Victory Kia When tackling all of Texas, a pickup truck will get it done in style and capability. We've sold many used pickup trucks to drivers from Victoria and the nearby area, whether their driving takes them to other cities like San Antonio or Corpus Christi or they just stick to local roads like Navarro Street. We know that a solid pickup truck will give you an extra layer of confidence that you're in total command. Regardless of your preference, come down and visit us here at Victory Kia so we can awe you with the used trucks we have available.